Genealogy Buff - Obituary and Death Notices Collection from the Smaller Counties of Texas

The Smaller Counties of Texas Obituary and Death Notice Collection(Obits and death notices from the lesser populated counties around the vast state of Texas.)Note: Some names have multiple entries. Clues can be gathered from them all. Best results come from viewing all entries for a particular name.

Funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. today, March 9, 1998, at Doctor Coss, N.L., Mexico. Interment will follow at Pante¢n Municipal in Doctor Coss, N.L., Mexico.

Local arrangements were handled by Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.

JOYCE RAPP

NEW BRAUNFELS -- Joyce Rapp, 67, died on Saturday, March 7, 1998, in New Braunfels.

She is survived by three daughters, Vivian (Vicky) Anderwald and David of New Braunfels, Linda Rapp of New Braunfels, Judy Johnson and her husband Joe of Portland, Texas; five grandchildren, Mark and Ryan Anderwald, Jessica Johnson, Justin Johnson and Delaney Rapp; two sisters, Loyce Romps of Orland Park, Ill., and Ella Mae Risley of Cibolo, Texas; two brothers, Don Kuykendall and his wife Georgene of Brownwood, Texas, and Darrell Kuykendall and his wife Dorothy of Alvold, Texas; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ditty Manning and her husband Chuck of Harlingen, Texas.

Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today, March 9, 1998, at the Zoeller Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Texas. Funeral services are scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 1998, at the Zoeller Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the Comal Cemetery in New Braufels.

The family has requested that memorials be given to the American Cancer Society or Hospice-New Braunfels, Texas.

Zoeller Funeral Home of New Braunfels, Texas is in charge of funeral arrangements.

MARY SMITH LOOKINGBILL

CASTROVILLE -- Mary Smith Lookingbill, 62, of Castroville, was born Jan. 2, 1936, in Sebastian, Texas, to the late Stanley F. and Ideal Fern Watson Smith and went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Oct. 2, 1998.

Survivors include her loving husband, Claud Eldon Lookingbill of Edcouch; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Dalia Lookingbill of Castroville, John E. and Yolanda Lookingbill of Smithson Valley; daughters, Carol Lookingbill of Castroville, Sue Lookingbill of Natalia and Catherine E. Lookingbill of Alpine; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Frank Smith of Leander, Texas.

Mary began a teaching career after earning a master's degree following the birth of her five children. Mary taught school in La Villa ISD, Edcouch-Elsa ISD and Natalia ISD. She ended her teaching career from Natalia ISD in April 1998 due to illness after having taught for 27 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Castroville since August 1981, at which time she moved to Castroville from Edcouch. Visitation will be held today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Castroville. Graveside service will be Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1998, at 2 p.m. at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Weslaco. Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home in Castroville is in charge of arrangements.

OFELIA C. PEREZ

PHARR -- Ofelia C. Perez, 78, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998, at her residence in Pharr. Born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Mrs. Perez had lived in Pharr most of her life. She was the owner and operator of Perez Grocery in Las Milpas.

Mrs. Perez was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church in Pharr and La Cap¡a de Nuestro Se¤or Catholic Church in Las Milpas. She served as treasurer of Las Damas Cat¢licas de La Cap¡a de Nuestro Senor.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Perez, in May 1996. Survivors include two sons, Esequiel (Irma Ida) Perez of Pharr and Efrain (Magdalena) Perez of Hidalgo; three daughters, Hilda (Jose Guadalupe) Trevi¤o of McAllen, Melba (Francisco) Miranda of Pharr and Maria Sandoval of McAllen; a brother, Octavio Cantu of Pharr; two sisters, Maria Rita Acosta of Santa Maria, Calif., and Carmen Garcia of Pharr; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in San Juan. Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Pharr. Burial will follow at Magic Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home of San Juan.

MARTIN J. FARINA

WESLACO -- Martin J. (Monty) Farina, 96, died Oct. 2, 1998, at his residence following a short illness. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and came to the Valley in 1928 as a farmer.

Mr. Farina was a charter member of Weslaco Elks Lodge 2057. He was well-known in the community for his support of athletic programs through his children. Monty will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Amelia Zurlo Farina; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jodi and Red Martin and Theresa and Ed Hefley. Survivors include a daughter, Catherine Seeber of Harlingen; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Family will be receiving friends today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, from 5 to 7 p.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco.

Pallbearers will be Ray Dyer, Jack Dyer, Mike Mattar and Buddy Ross.

Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the National Tuberous Sclerosis Association, 8181 Professional Place, Suite 110, Landover, Md. 20785-2226.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco.

MARIAN K. DRYDEN

ALAMO -- Marian K. Dryden, 75, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 1998, at McAllen Medical Center. Mrs. Dryden was born in Oil City, Pa., was formerly of Kent, Wash., and had lived in Alamo since 1987. She was an executive secretary and a very creative person who enjoyed craftmaking.

Mrs. Dryden is survived by her husband, Charles Dryden of Alamo; a son, Michael James Dryden of Honolulu, Hawaii; and a daughter, Gabrielle Suzanne Dryden of Seattle, Wash.

A memorial service will be held on a later date at the Alamo Country Club.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home of San Juan.

He is survived by his wife, Isabel Garza of Mission; a son, Arnulfo (Virginia) Garza of Mission; a daughter, Raquel (Domingo) Salinas of Mission; three stepsons, Francisco Salda¤a of Mission, Isidro Rojas of Houston and Leo Rojas of Mission; three stepdaughters, Consuelo Salda¤a of Mission, Marta Trevi¤o of Houston and Yolanda Creswell of San Diego, Calif.; 36 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. and a rosary service at 7 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, at Flores Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at the funeral home, and burial will follow at Abram Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Flores Funeral Home of Mission.

MARGARITA G. DEL BARRIO

EDINBURG -- Another angel was lifted to the Heavens as Margarita G. del Barrio went into eternal rest Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. She was born Sept. 2, 1911, in Cd. Mier, Tamps., Mexico, and was a 1931 graduate of Edinburg High School.

She married Alfonso Abrosio del Barrio of Laredo and was widowed June 16, 1945, as a result of World War II. Though widowed, she was never alone as she was blessed with five sons, Alfonso (Ana Maria) del Barrio of Laredo, Alfredo (Patricia) del Barrio of Edinburg, Arturo (Antonia) del Barrio of Mission, Manuel (Mary C.) del Barrio of Edinburg and Fidel (Kay) del Barrio of San Antonio; a brother, Arturo Garza of Linn; sisters, Estella Villegas of Edinburg and Leonor de la Garza of Weslaco; a sister-in-law, Isaura Garza of California; 22 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; as well as countless friends.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. with a holy rosary recited at 7 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg. Mass will be recited at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg. Burial will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.

SAN JUAN -- Mr. Alberto Sanchez, 95, entered into eternal rest Friday, Oct. 2, 1998, at his residence. Born April 8, 1903, in Mexico, he had lived in San Juan most of his life. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Mr. Sanchez was preceded in death by his wife, Petra G. Sanchez, in 1967. He is survived by his loving family, Norberto (Manuela) Sanchez of Mission, Genaro (Dora) Sanchez of Reynosa, Mexico, Cirilo (Maria Cruz) Sanchez of San Juan, Miguel (Anselma) Sanchez of Houston, Hipolito (Juana Maria) Sanchez of San Juan, Felicitas Sanchez of San Juan, Maria V. Garza of San Juan and Sylvia (Saul) Garcia of Edinburg; 48 grandchildren; 106 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

Family will be receiving friends from 1 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, at Gonzalez Funeral Home in Edinburg. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at Gonzalez Funeral Home Chapel of Peace. Burial will follow at Val-Verde Memorial Gardens in Donna.

Funeral arrangements are being directed by Gonzalez Funeral Home of Edinburg.

Mrs. Mercado is survived by her loving daughter, Maria Helena (Jose R.) Perez of McAllen; a brother, Roman Villanueva of Arizona; three sisters, Elida Trevi¤o of Florida, Guadalupe V. Fuentes of McAllen and Joaquina Solis of Alamo; and 14 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anselmo Mercado, in 1962; a brother, Basilio Villanueva, in 1996; a grandchild, Joel Borjas, in 1991; and her parents, Don Manuelito and Dona Marieta Villanueva.

Viewing and visitation for Mrs. Mercado will begin at 3 p.m. followed by a rosary service at 7 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, at Ceballos Funeral Home of McAllen. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church of McAllen. Burial will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Ceballos Funeral Home of McAllen.

FRANK LEONARD KLENEK

McALLEN -- Frank Leonard Klenek, 89, died at his home Friday, Oct. 2, 1998. Mr. Klenek was born in Chicago, Ill., and was a retired tool and die maker. He had been hard-working all of his life. Mr. Klenek was a good father and enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his daughter, Debra Bentley and her husband, Dennis, of Edinburg; and grandchildren, Dennis Bentley Jr., Leanna Michelle Bentley and Valerie Jean Bentley.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, at Kreidler Funeral Home on North 10th Street in McAllen. The family will be present to receive friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at Abundant Grace Community Church on North McColl Road. The Rev. Jim Vinita will officiate. Burial will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery on North Taylor Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to Abundant Grace Community Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 3693, McAllen, Texas 78502.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Kreidler Funeral Home of McAllen.

ROQUE DE LEON

MERCEDES -- Roque de Leon, 79, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 1998, at McAllen Medical Center. Born Aug. 15, 1919, to Riley and Guadalupe de Leon, he was a lifelong resident of Mercedes. Mr. de Leon was married to the late Anita Sixto de Leon. After 36 years of employment, he retired from the City of Mercedes.

Mr. de Leon served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 10, 1942, until he was honorably discharged on Dec. 3, 1945. While serving during World War II, he received the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater with one Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and one Service Stripe. In addition, he served in Alaska for 19 months as a duty soldier. He was well-known in his community.

Mr. de Leon is survived by three sons, Roque (Mary) de Leon Jr., Fernando (Yolanda) de Leon of Mercedes and Ubaldo (Zelma) de Leon of Denton; three daughters, Diana (Pete) Zarate and Cristella (Oscar) Hernandez, both of Mercedes, and Rosa (Pete) Avila of California; three brothers, Rey and Riley de Leon of Mercedes and Joe ``Pepe'' de Leon of Raymondville; two sisters, Berta de Leon of Mercedes and Janie Romero of McAllen; 17 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, and Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1998, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Mercedes. Burial will follow with military rites at the Catholic Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Garcia and Trevi¤o Funeral Home of Mercedes.

PASQUAL S. BALDERAS

EDCOUCH -- Pasqual S. Balderas, 85, died Friday, Oct. 2, 1998, in San Juan. He was a resident of Edcouch for many years.

Mr. Balderas is survived by his wife, Lucinda Balderas of Edcouch; six sons, Tomas Balderas of San Antonio, Manuel Balderas of Joliet, Ill., Juan Balderas of Weslaco, Juan Ismael Balderas of Edcouch, Guadalupe Balderas of San Juan and Oscar Balderas of Edcouch; four daughters, Yolanda Rios of Donna, Angelita Alonzo of Joliet, Ill., Maria Isabel Rangel of Elsa and Imelda Perez of Edcouch; three brothers, Ernesto Balderas and Juan Balderas, both of Monterrey, and Eliseo Quiroz of Rio Bravo; five sisters, Aurora Moreno and Carmela Buentello, both of Poblado Anahuac, Tamps., Maria Espino of Donna, Guadalupe Rodriguez of San Juan and Alicia Balderas of McAllen; 43 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Prayer service will be held today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, at Guerra Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Victor Rubio officiating. Burial will follow at Val Verde Memorial Gardens in Donna.

Pallbearers will be his sons, Tomas, Manuel, Juan, Juan Ismael, Guadalupe and Oscar.

He is survived by his loving wife, Alicia Rodriguez de la Fuente; his children include three sons, Hector E. and Marco Antonio de la Fuente, both of Edinburg, and Oscar de la Fuente of McAllen; four daughters, Blanca de la Fuente Castillo of Arkansas, Elva Gloria de la Fuente Lozano of Edinburg and Alma Cecilia Uribe and Olga Nelley Garza, both of Mission; two brothers, Raul and Jose de la Fuente, both of McAllen; two sisters, Pura Nu¤ez and Gloria Esqudero, both of Mexico; 18 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Viewing and visitation will begin at 2 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. today, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at Our lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church of McAllen with the Rev. Father Francisco Acosta officiating.

Burial will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Ceballos Funeral Home of McAllen.

He was born Jan. 26, 1951, in Mercedes and had lived in Weslaco for about 10 years.

Mr. Huerta was preceded in death by his father, Guadalupe Huerta Sr., in 1961 and a brother, Guadalupe Huerta Jr., in 1991.

He is survived by his wife, Estela Rodriguez of Weslaco; a daughter, Gina Rae Huerta of Weslaco; his mother, Reyes Perez Huerta of Mercedes; five brothers, Ruben Huerta of Mercedes, Luis Huerta of La Feria, Pablo Huerta and Richard Huerta, both of McAllen, and Alfredo Huerta of Brownsville; five sisters, Mickey Casiano of Donna, Sylvia Kahle of Minnesota, Martha Martinez of McAllen, and Elizabeth Huerta and Rebecca Vera, both of Mercedes; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 1998, at Iglesia Bautista Southside in Mercedes with Pastor Reymundo Zamora officiating.

ALAMO — Roy Charles Hilton Sr., age 63, died Thursday, April 15, 1999, at his residence in Alamo.

He is survived by his wife; Mary Frances Hilton of Alamo; sons; Roy Charles Hilton Jr. of Jamestown, N.C., Daniel Wentworth Hilton of Alamo and John Keller Hilton of Dripping Springs; a daughter; Helen Frances Hilton of Alamo; brothers, H.T. Hilton Jr. of North Carolina and Vernon Lee Hilton of Eden, N.C.; a sister; Frances Verdelle Hilton of Salsberry, N.C.; and 11 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held today, Saturday, April 17, 1999, at 1:30 p.m. at Skinner-Silva Funeral Home Chapel in Pharr. Burial will follow at San Juan Cemetry in San Juan.

Skinner-Silva Funeral Home in Pharr is in charge of services.

JAMES WILLIAM CALDWELL M.D.

McALLEN — James William Caldwell, M.D., 74, died April 15, 1999 at his home in McAllen after a long illness.

He was born on September 15, 1924, in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1943, while attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, his undergraduate pre-med studies were interrupted by World War II and he was inducted into the U.S. Army. Dr. Caldwell attended the Army School of Roentoglogy in Memphis, Tennessee and processed American and German war casualties at the 170th General Hospital, Normandy Base Section. After serving in World War II, he returned to the United States to resume his pre-med studies. Under a special educational program for veterans, Dr. Caldwell graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1949 and received his M.D. from the University of Tennessee in 1950.

Dr. Caldwell interned at the John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee from 1950 to 1951 and performed his pediatric residency at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan from 1952 to 1954. He began his private pediatric practice in McAllen in 1954 where he practiced until November 1998. In 1957, Dr. Caldwell was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He belonged to the following professional associations: the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association (Member, Perinatal Committee), the Texas Pediatric Society, the Southern Medical Association, the Texas Perinatal Association and the Hidalgo-Starr Counties Medical Society. Dr. Caldwell was an active staff member of the McAllen Medical Center and Rio Grande Regional Hospital, and a consulting staff member at the Mission Municipal Hospital. He was the founder and medical director of the Drug Abuse Clinic in McAllen from 1971 to 1975 and was the founding physician for the hyperbaric treatment center at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in 1992. Dr. Caldwell also served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas at San Antonio School of Medicine.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 1999, at St. Mark United Methodist Church in McAllen. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 19, 1999, at Roselawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rio Grande Children’s Home, Rt. 11, Box 535, Mission, Texas 78572, or to a favorite charity of choice.

Services were entrusted to the care of Kreidler Funeral Home, Inc. in McAllen.

ALFREDO C. TREVIÑO

ELSA — Alfredo C. Treviño passed from this life on Thursday, April 15, 1999, in Austin at the age of 68 years.

He was born in Mission, Texas on September 16, 1930 to Pedro and Elvira (Rangel) Treviño. He married Josefina Martinez on May 10, 1953. He and Josefina moved to Round Rock, Texas in 1996 from Elsa, Texas. They lived in Elsa for 38 years.

He was a lifelong member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Elsa where he initiated and operated a food bank for needy families in the community for five years. He has attended Triumphant Love Lutheran Church in Austin since he moved to Round Rock.

Alfredo was raised in the Rio Grande Valley where most of his brothers and sisters live. He came from a humble background but managed to secure his GED and also attended college.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Josefina Martinez Treviño; one daughter, Diana Treviño de la Fuente of Austin; and two sons, David of Round Rock and Daniel of Pflugerville. He is also survived by four brothers, Humberto, Edelmiro and Abel, all of Mission, and Guadalupe of Alice; and two sisters, Ada Galvan and Aminta Garcia, both of Mission; five grandchildren, Michelle Treviño, Rebecca Treviño, Mathew Treviño, Lisa de la Fuente and Linda de la Fuente.

Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Guerra Funeral Home of Elsa.